Mobile

Samsung Monte S5620 goes for Php11,000

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief March 20, 2010 · 1 min read

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(Update: Read our Samsung Monte Review) A new touchscreen phone from Samsung is now out and selling for just Php11,000. The Samsung S5620 (Monte) has everything but the price should shake up the competition.

Last time we saw touchscreen phones selling within the vicinity of Php11,000 was with the LG Cookie and Samsung Star, both of which were huge hits.

Samsung Monte (S5620)
3.1-inch screen @ 240×400 pixels
Accelerometer sensor for UI auto-rotate
3G/HSDPA 3.6Mbps
Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP
USB 2.0,
WiFi 802.11 b/g
FM Radio with RDS
233MB internal memory
up to 8GB via microSD
3.15 MP camera @ 2048×1536 pixels
GPS with A-GPS support
TouchWiz 2.0 Plus

The Monte has social networking integration with live updates and GPS is supported by Google Latitude. The handset should be out in stores by now.

(Update: Read our Samsung Monte Review)

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Abe Olandres

Editor-in-chief

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and is considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines.

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196 Comments

Rommel A. · 16 years ago

@ Ardz

Check this site:
http://www.cmkcellphones.com/

Its all there.. you can go to their store at Roosevelt ave. QC..just check the site and you will see the store’s location map and can call them for delivery if you wish..Yes, I got the phone with 1 year warranty..no worries mate!

Ardz · 16 years ago

@Rommel A.
Could you tell me the name of the shop where you bought the phone and the selling price of the phone? Could you also confirm if the phone you bought has a local manufacturer’s warranty, meaning it’s officially sold here? I’ll be calling the Marketing department tomorrow morning, so any information would be helpful.

Rommel A. · 16 years ago

Hey guys, I just bought this Samsung Monte this afternoon at a price below Php 11k..I love this phone, nice design, nice touch.I even like the box, a compact one. The good thing is this is the latest Samsung feature phone..I still have to study all these features as this is my first ever touchscreen phone. So that Samsung agent named Hannah must be hallucinating..I just got it here in Quezon City, what is she doing? This is a big bang for the buck midrange phone.Lucky few…

Ardz · 16 years ago

Thanks for the quick reply. I called their hotline number (02)580-5777 and was able to talk to a contact center agent named Hannah (from the Samsung head office in Taguig). I asked for the availability of this specific model and she said that this is an upcoming model thus not yet available. She then asked me where I got the information that it’s already out. I told her that I got it from this site. She later told me to call the Marketing department tomorrow since they’ve already gone home.

ardz · 16 years ago

yuga,
i called samsung about this phone. they said it’s not yet available here.

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief · 16 years ago

@ardz – which number and person you called? I will forward this with Samsung PR to clarify.

tetchie · 16 years ago

nice specs (with wifi) and reasonable price but OS touchwiz? I don’t think you can download lots of apps with this OS … unlike symbian and windows mobile

luki · 16 years ago

This is great phone!

Calvin · 16 years ago

this is weird, why would they release the monte here if they will also be releasing the marvel s5560? almost the same features but with 5mp camera. hmmm.

symbiandreamsdotcom · 16 years ago

Camera and Screen.

Capacitive for s5620 which is best for apps and games but I don’t see it is very useful for Samsung phones coz there are not wide range for Apps.

Resistive for 5800, 5230, a bit hefty for typing and no physical keypad but you will get a bunch of apps on the web and on the ovi store.

Camera..
5800 has a better camera coz of dual-led and auto focus.

symbiandreamsdotcom · 16 years ago

@rich558, @mac, @ardz @warfab
5800 is way too old and there are lots of 5800 users, while Nokia 5230 is just a copied looks from 5800 but with lower specs. If you are a mobile enthusiast you will go the new and with much specs compare to the other one.

Going for for s5620 if i have 11k and if I DONT KNOW anything about mobile tech…but I will not spend on that thing for 11k.
I hate Samsung because the materials they use on their phone are not good as I expected kahit maganda yung design ang durability naman ung mahina.

I think if you are looking a touch phone that has a wi-fi, better go to the phone that has higher RAM, wide range of support and apps for OS, at think of the durability of that one.
5800 and 5230 are much tougher but i hate those designs kahit I’m a Nokia fan.

well…?

mac · 16 years ago

The good thing about this S5620 is that its much cheaper than other mid-range phones. For the price of 11k, its quite affordable than other touch screen wifi enabled phones. One thing i like about this S5620 is the live widgets.:) i just wish that nokia would have that widget thingy too.^_^

Ardz · 16 years ago

Correction: @Rich558

Ardz · 16 years ago

@Rich588
Don’t assume that everyone needs turn-by-turn voice navigation. Note that both phones have GPS built in. This is turning into a WiFi versus turn-by-turn voice navigation war which I find ridiculous since they are not even comparable to each other! I understand that you like the 5230. I also like it, honestly. But there are people who want to access the internet for free via WiFi in schools or malls for whatever reason they have.

markmarcelo0210 · 16 years ago

I used to be a big fan of Samsung phone. I had a Samsung E250 and D900 before. When affordable touchscreen became a hit I bought a Samsung Star S5233 last August 2009. Ok naman siya pero I find something lacking to its user interface. It has no 3G, limited widgets to download, and its quite expensive during the time I bought it but its ok since its a touchscreen kaya medyo mahal despite its not 3G. When I first saw Nokia 5800 I fell in love with its features because its 3G and has excellent user interface. But when 5800 was first released I can’t afford its pricetag. And then Nokia 5230 was released with an affordable price. I’m not bothered by its 2 MP camera and lacking of video calls as long as may 3G and has excellent user interface. I bought my Nokia 5230 last week and Im very happy with its performance. Although the 5230 has a Samsung contender – Samsung Preston but it has a smallish screen. I like my Nokia’s 3.2 inch display…

Rich558 · 16 years ago

@warfab

The only reason anyone would prefer checking websites on a small, slow device at HOME instead of using a PC is if someone was looking at something NSFW.

warfab · 16 years ago

I agree with mac and yuga that the Samsung 5620 is a better deal than the Nokia 5230 since the Samsung has wifi. I put more value on Wifi since I like to regularly check emails or bookmarked sites for updates when I’m at home or when I’m mobile or when I don’t have time to open up my pc, notebook or my netbook.

Sanctuarian06 · 16 years ago

Ang akward gumawa ng samsung ng design ng phone. Lalo na sa touchscreen!

Miguel · 16 years ago

And they also make the cheapest local Android phone, the Spica. Review please!

Carlo · 16 years ago

Is this capacitative?

5800 was a big mistake imo for ditching the physical keyboard while having a resistive touch screen.

Also, is there a way to measure a capacitative touch screen’s responsiveness. I have an iPod Touch and I thought all capacitative touch screens are that good. But when used my friend’s samsung (I dont remember the exact model) phone, I was disappointed. =(

Rich558 · 16 years ago

@Yuga

With all due respect, I think you grossly underestimate your blog readership if you think only 5% of us have or drive cars (this is after all the best Gadget blog in the Philippines).

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief · 16 years ago

@Rich558 – the voice GPS navigation is primarily meant for those who have or drive cars. As such, I’d assume that those who can afford to drive cars can also afford to get a phone that has all of the bells and whistles — WiFi, 3G, and voice GPS. The rest (95%) of the mobile consumers who don’t drive cars will not find GPS compelling.

So, if we put a vote among all readers here whether they’d want GPS or WiFi on their phone, I bet 95% or more will say WiFi trumps GPS. Last time we did a poll here, WiFi won over 3G.

Rich558 · 16 years ago

@mac

It’s not mine it’s my wife’s :) I did take a little offense with the Samsung’s seemingly blatant challenge by copying the 5230’s white and red color scheme (unit on the right in the picture above). The gauntlet has been thrown.

I’m with you on the fast model turnover of nokias. Sometimes its detrimental to them as a company (case in point is the aforementioned 5800). It’s better to wait for version 2.0 (like the 5230).

mac · 16 years ago

@Rich. you own one right? thats why you defend your phone so much. haha. Anyways I really hate nokia for some reasons. They easily upgrade their units so fast. For the wealthy ones, its fine.

Rich558 · 16 years ago

@mac

Peace bro. They’re both Nokias anyway.

mac · 16 years ago

@Rich. ^_^ miles ahead? haha. okay. thats your opinion. i should respect it.

Rich558 · 16 years ago

@Mac

I do believe that in terms of reliability, the 5230 is miles ahead of the 5800.

Rich558 · 16 years ago

@Yuga

Well that’s one way to look at the P3,000. But on a functionality viewpoint, both devices can access the internet, but only the Nokia can be a voice GPS Navigator.

Another way to look at it is that you’re getting a free GPS device with free navigation subscription FOR LIFE.

Here’s what you save:
$10 per month – GPS navigation fee in the US
up to $500 – GPS device

If you do the math that easily eclipses the price of the phone.

WiFi is only useful if you have the patience to surf the internet on such a slow device and a small screen. Honestly, I get a better internet experience on my DSi.

mac · 16 years ago

@Rich: A cellular phone without wifi is like an ipod without a headset XD. Just choose between 5800 and S5620. These two phones are somehow comparable.

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief · 16 years ago

@mac – hahaha! pakilala ka next time. I usually gas up at that station.

@Rich558 – Let me add a couple bullets for the S5620:

+ 2nd camera for video calls
+ Higher Internal memory (233MB vs. 70MB)
+ Google Maps 3.0
+ Geo-tagging
+ Thinner (12.4mm vs. 15.5mm)
+ Lighter (92g vs. 115g)

As well as the S5230:

+ Proximity sensor
+ Flash Lite 3.0

For a lot of mobile phone users, the absence of WiFi is a deal breaker. The Php3,000 savings you get from the S5230 can easily be spent in a month since all your downloads and connectivity will be via paid 3G connections.

Rich558 · 16 years ago

Nokia 5230
+ Bigger Higher Resolution (320 x 640) 3.2 inch screen
+ Genuine smartphone (Symbian OS)
+ Symbian apps available for download in the thousands
+ Higher Capacity battery (1320 mAh)
+ Free Turn-by-turn voice navigation
+ Cheaper by P3,000
+ Video VGA @ 30 fps

Samsung S5620
+ Wifi
+ 3 MP camera (fixed focus)

As far as I can see it the Nokia trounces this Samsung in all fronts except Wifi. I would get the Nokia for the free navigation alone (a seperate GPS navigation voice navigation unit would cost more than the Nokia itself).

mac · 16 years ago

@Sir Abe. oh my!~_~ should have ask for autograph.:) haha. Im going to approach you next time. haha

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief · 16 years ago

@mac – yup, was there last night.

mac · 16 years ago

@Sir Abe: have you went to Shell Magallanes? I not sure if it was you but he kinda looks like you.

mac · 16 years ago

@Alvin: what is Bada?new OS for Samsung? have you heard nokia C6 will be most likely like n900 but for the masses?

Alvin · 16 years ago

@mac: Yup, rival of 5800. Sir Abe, Bada na kaya ang OS nito?

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief · 16 years ago

@Alvin – TouchWiz lang. Same as the Samsung Star.

mac · 16 years ago

@symbiandreamsdotcom-almost same specs as 5800

symbiandreamsdotcom · 16 years ago

Processor, RAM, and type of screen?
I think this device doesn’t support xvid/divx. No LED flash/video light? And how about the auto-focus on cam?

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief · 16 years ago

@symbiandreamsdotcom – I think they left out those features for the high-end models. Otherwise, nobody’s gonna buy the Samsung Omnia anymore.

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief · 16 years ago

@Rich558 – the N5230 does not have WiFi so the specs don’t match.

laptoper · 16 years ago

great specs for the price. it also looks sleek

Rich558 · 16 years ago

Looks good, but the Nokia 5230’s knock-out punch is free turn-by-turn voice navigation at a much lower price point.

mac · 16 years ago

its like 5800. competition.

sky · 16 years ago

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxx1Ow7_MU8

–but how about this? they say it doesn’t have a qwerty landscape keyboard? that’s disappointing! can anyone confirm?

sky · 16 years ago

http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_s5620_monte-review-446.php

–can anyone confirm? does it really have a capacitive touch screen? Wow. I’m going to buy this!

fr0stbyte · 16 years ago

Confirmed it. 3.5mm headphone jack. BUT lacks 850 or 1900MHz 3G support according to my sources. I may be wrong.

fr0stbyte · 16 years ago

Wow. This is better than LG’s early offerings of touch screen phones! Wala akong nakita dati na may accelerometer at Wifi for 11K. Okay din ang screen resolution niya. Hmmm.. At pareho sila halos nang interface nang Viewty ko. If the touch screen performs well, this is a must-buy! Kung na increase lang nila from 8GB to 16GB ‘yung maximum size nang SD card and at nalagyan nang at least 5MP camera eh ultimate-must buy na ‘to. Does anyone here know kung proprietary ang ear/headphone jack nito?